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Oncology Nursing Foundation Commits $600,000 to Support Oncology Nursing Research Grants

(December 1, 2021) PITTSBURGH - The Oncology Nursing Foundation invested $600,000 to support eight major research grants covering a range of oncology nursing research topics in 2021.

Susan W. Wesmiller, Ph.D., RN, of the University of Pittsburgh, received the largest award of $150,000 to lead a cancer nursing project in symptom science addressing adverse effects in immunotherapy. The initiative is funded by a contribution to the Oncology Nursing Foundation from Bristol Myers Squibb.

“I am thrilled to receive this grant. I have been studying the genomic underpinnings of symptoms experienced by women treated for breast cancer for the past decade,” Wesmiller said. “My first funded grant as a postdoctoral scholar was also from the Oncology Nursing Foundation, which focused on the science of symptoms. Our focus has grown to treatment-induced nausea and vomiting, including chemotherapy, radiation, and now immunotherapy.”

Two additional research grants of $100,000 each were awarded for cancer nursing health disparities research. Hsiao-Lan Wang, Ph.D., RN, CMSRN, ACSM EP-C, FAAN, of the University of Alabama, will lead research in reducing health disparities in physical functioning among young adults of color with cancer. The study is funded by a gift to the Oncology Nursing Foundation from Merck & Co. And Jill Peltzer, Ph.D., APRN-CNS, of the University of Kansas, will conduct research in breast cancer inequities among Black Americans. That study is funded, in part, by a contribution to the Oncology Nursing Foundation from Novartis.

Five investigators in total received funding from the Oncology Nursing Foundation’s new oncology nurse scientist research grants program, which was introduced this year. The program provides $50,000 for each awarded nurse-led research project. A contribution to the Oncology Nursing Foundation from Genentech, A member of the Roche Group, funded two of the five research initiatives under the new program:

  • Jamie Myers, Ph.D., RN, AOCNS®, research associate professor at the University of Kansas
  • Memnun Seven, Ph.D., RN, MSN, assistant professor at the University of Massachusetts Amherst

The other three grants were awarded to:

  • Kristen Haase, Ph.D., RN, MA, BN, assistant professor at the University of British Columbia
  • Natalie S. McAndrew, Ph.D., RN, ACNS-BC, CCRN-K, assistant professor at the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee
  • Yehui Zhu, Ph.D., RN, postdoctoral research fellow at Massachusetts General Hospital

“The Oncology Nursing Foundation is grateful for the generous support received from corporate partners to advance oncology nursing research initiatives,” Anizia Karmazyn, executive director of the Oncology Nursing Foundation, said. “Their support is poised to bring new knowledge and meaningful, positive impact to the care of patients with cancer.”

The research initiatives were selected following a rigorous scientific review process. Awarded projects are aligned with the Research Agenda of the Oncology Nursing Society, whose mission is to promote excellence in cancer nursing and quality cancer care.

The Oncology Nursing Foundation celebrates its 40th anniversary in 2021. Created in 1981 by the Oncology Nursing Society, the mission of the Foundation is to support oncology nursing excellence. The Oncology Nursing Foundation has awarded more than $29 million in funding since its inception for education, research, and leadership development for oncology nurses to give them the opportunity to pursue excellence in delivering care to patients with cancer. For more information or to donate to the Oncology Nursing Foundation, visit give.onsfoundation.org

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Media Contact:
Nicole Lininger     
nlininger@ons.org